good morning. firestorm of controversy. new questions swirling now about former cia director david petraeus, the relationship with his biographer, the investigation, and what all of this means when it comes to the probe into that attack in benghazi. the general's form er spokesman speaks out to nbc news in his only tv interview. deadly explosion -- at least two people killed. dozens of homes damaged after a massive blast overnight in indianapolis. what went wrong? and "twilight." the final film opening in just days. the love story about vampires and werewolves, why has it turned so many fans into crazed

beasts? we'll take a bite out of that story today, sunday, november 11, 2012. and welcome to "today" on this sunday morning, veterans day. i'm erica hill. and i'm lester holt. today is an important day to honor those who served in our armed forces. you're looking it at the tomb of the unknown at arlington national cemetery. the president will lay a wreath there later on this morning. one of america's most decorated veterans, david petraeus, is behind closed doors today, two days after his stunning resignation of cia director. it began as an investigation into harassing e-mails and ended with him admitting to an extramarital affair. this morning in an nbc news exclusive we'll hear from his former spokesman who talked to the general after all of this

broke and says petraeus is very sorry for what he did. and a bit later general petraeus is the latest in a long list of powerful men who have been involved in high-profile cheating scandals so we'll ask why do they do it? our experts will weigh in. >> also ahead, it has been nearly two weeks since hurricane sandy. thousands are still in the dark. meantime, the destruction is inspiring many others to help out -- to lend a helping hand. we'll take you to hard hit coney island. plus, with thanksgiving right around the corner, why you could be getting the stuffing kicked out of your wallet if you are traveling. we'll try to help you save a few bucks. let's begin with the resignation of general the t david petraeus. e-mails between him and paula broadwe broadwell, his biographer, were indicative of an extramarital affair. this is as petraeus' former spokesperson is speaking out granting his only television interview to nbc's chrkristen

welker. she is in our washington bureau. kristen, good morning. >> reporter: good morning to you, lester. i end viewed steven broil. petraeus was in the comeback forces in iraq. he says he is stunned about the news of his former boss. new details are emerging about how this all came to light. according to multiple sources the down fall of general david petraeus all started with a seemingly unrelated complaint to the fbi. officials say it was triggered by e-mails from petraeus' biographer, paula broadwell, to another woman not related to petraeus who felt she was being harassed and complained to the fbi. officials say in recent weeks the fbi traced the e-mails to broadwell and only stumbled on the relationship with tpetraeus as a result. >> my first reaction was disbelief. >> reporter: now petraeus' former spokesperson steven

boylan is speaking out. he worked with the the the from 2005 to 2008 including in iraq. the two have remained close and spoke by phone on saturday. >> he said he had an excellent job, an exceptional family. he had had a great relationship he thought with the white house and, in his words, he screwed up. and he knows it. >> reporter: officials in washington are also still processing the stunning turn of events which started on tuesday. that's when the justice department notified the head of national intelligence about broadwell's e-mails. then clapper notified the white house wednesday. thursday morning national security adviser tom donolan was made aware. mr. obama accepted the resignation the next day. still, lawmakers want more answers and some say petraeus should still testify on capitol hill next week about the september benghazi attack which he is no longer slated to do.

>> he is a key piece ofhe puzzle, maybe the key piece of the puzzle. >> the woman at the center of the firestorm, his biographer, an army reserve officer who, like petraeus dprad waited from west point. broadwell has not been shy about her access to petraeus co-hosting a barbecue with jon stewart to raise money for wounded warriors. she spoke often about her connection to the cia director which she acknowledged rubbed some in the military the wrong way. >> i was embedded with general petraeus in afghanistan, and it was a little confusing for some of the folks there because i'm also military reservist, top secret fbi clearance and then some. so a lot of my former peers didn't know how to treat me. >> reporter: steven boylan says he exchanged e-mails and calls from broadwell when she was just start to go do research for her book. >> she sounded driven. she seemed smart on the topic. >> reporter: like so many boylan

is still reeling from the news, but hopes america will remember petraeus' 30-plus years of service. >> i would have to say that they need to understand that he's human. no one is perfect. he made a mistake. i hope that we don't hear the last of him. >> reporter: now law enforcement sources tell nbc news general petraeus is not under investigation, and they don't expect their inquiry will result in criminal charges. we continue to reach out to paula broadwell for comment but have not heard back from her. >> david gregory is moderator of "meet the press." good morning. good to see you. the fbi has been looking into all of this for weeks. the timing is such we're told the president didn't know until thursday, but, as you and i both know, this had the potential to be a pre-election october surprise. how many questions are going to be asked about the timing of all this in the days and weeks to come? >> well, i think there will be a lot. not only the timing of what was known and when it was communicated to the intelligence

community more broadly and, therefore, to the white house, but also when his resignation occurred just as he is supposed to testify on capitol hill about benghazi, so many questions about libya on capitol hill among republicans and democrats alike. you heard peter king in kristen's piece talking about how he's so important in terms of the cia time line and what they did and didn't do. so we're not going to hear from him on that. so i think there are a lot of questions about how this unfolds, and it's certainly not the way the president wants to begin the immediate aftereffects of being re-elected. >> might petraeus have survived this personal if not for the growing controversy over benghazi? >> i don't know the answer to that, lester i think there had to be the concern, first of all, on his part that it was not the right thing to do and the honorable thing to do would be to step aside. with the benghazi questions, i think there will be questions whether there were any national security breaches.

maybe there's more yet to this that we don't know. those questions would be asked. so at the very least you have a very big distraction and an unfolding scandal right after the election and it was clear both the president and general petraeus wanted to avoid that. >> all this comes as washington is turning its attention to the fiscal cliff. these automatic spending cuts that threatened to send the economy back into a nose dive. what's your sense in washington? are both sides -- do both sides still have an appetite to play brinksmanship or is there a real desire to get this done? >> as i talk to people on capitol hill, lester, and in the administration, there is still wariness on both sides. one for the other. but there is a different attitude. they both see some room for breakthrough here. i think both sides recognize that the public has spoken lo loudly about the importance of compromise. but the public has also reaffirmed the status quo in washington. so the president is in a position, and you heard him at the end of the week insisting that tax rates for wealthy americans are going too much to

go up. or taxes, more generally. so i think that's where he feels the mandate of a second term and he's going to drive a hard bar fwan. but i think he's going to try to work in a way to make it very difficult for republicans to say no to a new approach, again, undering people want something to get done on this on deficit reduction and then move on to some other issues. >> give us a preview of what's coming up this morning on "meet the press." we'll talk about that with senator schumer and coburn and more details on the petraeus investigation and where this goes from here. and we'll talk about the election and where the republican party goes from here after a stinging defeat. >> a lot to talk about this morning. david gregory, thank you very much. >> thanks, lester. >> and now here is erica. turning now to the recovery in the northeast following hurricane sandy, the power could be back in new jersey later today for many affected by the superstorm. only homes too damage it had to receive electricity will be left out. meantime, some families were able to get a first look at what is left of their homes. michelle franzen reports from

new jersey. >> reporter: in seaside heights, new jersey, long lines and a flood of emotions for residents returning to grab what they can for the few hours they have escorted in by bus. the beach side community still off limits. >> we will not allow people on the eisland until it's safe. >> reporter: one homeowner collected belongings in suitcases and still waits on the fate of his home. >> i'm not allowed to come back here for six months to rebuild, you might as well tear my house down. >> reporter: just south, long island residents were allowed to return to their homes for good. in new jersey and new york, more than 4,000 residents are staying in shelters and nearly a quarter of a million people are still without power nearly two weeks after the storm hit. on long island, protests and anger that the utility company lipa hasn'worked quickly enough. >> we are cold and we are tired and we want our power now.

>> reporter: the agency says power has been restored to 93% of long island. meanwhile, new york joined new jersey ordering gas rationing rules to help reduce long lines and frustration at the pump. homeland security secretary janet napolitano is set to return to the region this morning. this time to disaster recovery site in staten island. for "today," michelle franzen, nbc news, toms river, new jersey. let's get you a check now of the rest of the morning's top stories with jenna wolfe. good morning. good morning, you guys. morning, everyone. a thunderous late night explosion destroyed two houses and set two more on fire in an indianapolis neighborhood. two deaths and multiple injuries have also been reported. about 200 people sought shelter overnight in nearby elementary schools. flying debris and the shock waves from the blast damaged at least 18 homes. investigators will begin looking for the cause of the explosion later this morning. freezing temperatures may

have forced a jet to slide off a taxiway in denver saturday. the plane had just arrived from oakland. there were 130 people on flight 1905. no one was hurt. redefining the term fashionably late, florida has finally weighed in on the presidential election. good for florida. the state finished casting its votes on saturday four days after the rest of the country did. president obama got 50% of the vote to mitt romney's 49.13%, a margin of 74,000 votes. the win not only adds to the electoral college, he gets the pressure off florida's back. the bbc's director general has resigned under pressure less than two months after he took the job. he will step down saturday night after a news program wrongly implicated a british politician in a child sex abuse scandal. this followed a bbc decision not to air similar allegations against one of its own stars who police now say was one of britain's worst pedophiles. great britain has been

largely silent today. the nation is observing remembrance day, a day set aside to honor the men and women killed during the two world wars and other conflicts. members of the royal family attend add service in london. only in new york can you see a ginormous hello kitty balloon floating down the street and think, no big deal. nothing of it. macy is busy testing flying the balloo balloons. three new balloons, papa smurf, evidently on a shelf, and hello kitty were tested to make sure they will float properly. the good news, they did. said hello kitty afterwards, i feel so bloated. please help. that is the news. now back to lester, erica and dylan. >> i hear people have to be really in shape to be a balloon handler, it's not that simple. >> it's difficult what you have to hold on to. it's not easy. maybe you should try it. >> a bloated kielty. dylan dreyer is here with a check of the weather. on this veterans day talking

about some rain. we do have rain basically from wisconsin all the way down to texas. it's a long line of rain dividing the country rig

and that is your latest forecast. erica? >> dylan, thanks. up next on "today," if you're planning on a little holiday travel, i hope you're ready to shell out some big bucks. we'll help you try to save a few. [ boys screaming ] hi, i just switched jobs, and i want to roll over my old 401(k) into a fidelity ira. man: okay, no problem. it's easy to get started; i can help you with the paperwork. um...this green line just appeared on my floor. yeah, that's fidelity helping you reach your financial goals. could you hold on a second? it's your money. roll over your old 401(k) into a fidelity ira and take control of your personal economy. this is going to be helpful.

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thanksgiving is less than two weeks away. if you have yet to buy an airline ticket, be ready for a huge crush on your wallet. kerry sanders is at ft. laweder ft. lauderdale-hollywood airport. >> reporter: if that's your life strategy, sometimes it pays off. trust me, i know. but this year that's not the case. the travel deals are gone. paul cross is heading home for thanksgiving. the turkey meal with family is costing him close to $400 in airfare. his flight from miami to chicago and back is a deal when you consider that same ticket if bought online today would cost him $8 60. >> after i come home this thanksgiving i'll start looking for next thanksgiving.

>> reporter: airlines have sold 51% more christmas season tickets than they had this time a year ago which means the old supply and demand rule applies, fewer seats, higher prices. experts say if you want a deal you may have to settle on an you go ly date flight, a ticket on thanksgiving or christmas day. >> you'll usually save money but you might anger your relatives. >> when is the worst time to travel? usually the wednesday before thanksgiving and the sunday afterwards. >> reporter: and it's not just air travel. hotels are also booking up. new york is the number one thanksgiving destination. in part because of the macy's thanksgiving day parade. orlando, florida, is the number two christmas destination with the theme parks the main draw. like airfares, hotel deals are dils appearing. kevin manages the hilton brand in south florida. >> demand is strong generally from christmas right through easter down here.

we'll probably sell out almost every day. >> reporter: for some last-minute travel this thanksgiving is just too expensive. >> it was like $700 extra for a nonbooking event, a month prior to the event. >> reporter: what if you have no plans to fly? well, those who are going to take those shorter flights may not now because they're more expensive which means likely there will be more people on the highways so expect traffic this holiday season. lester? >> i wish i'd seen this story. i think i now own a 757. thanks very much. still to come on a sunday edition of "today" general david petraeus is the latest in a long string of powerful men caught cheating on their wichs. the age-old question why do they do it? ♪

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this is a news4 news break. >> good morning. the time is 8:26. i'm richard jordan. topping your news today, police

have identified the two victims in a deadly motorcycle crash in prince george's county. investigators say 40-year-old jonathan evans of lorton struck 64-year-old harry lee of clinton yesterday afternoon. this accident happened in the 3900 block of branch avenue in suitland. police say lee was not in the crosswalk at the time of the crash. d.c. police are looking for suspects who sexually assaulted and robbed two women. the attack happened early saturday morning in the 1,000 block of 48th street in northeast. the women tell police the men pulled up on them this two separate cars and forced them to perform a sex act. the men then stole one of the women's cell phone and her coat. so far police have not made any arrests in this case. it will be a special celebration at the vietnam veterans memorial today. it's also the 30-year anniversary of the wall's completion. that's just one of many local eve events. planned for today at 9:00 is a tribute at the world war ii memorial on the national mall.

at mount vernon, a wreath will be placed at george washington's tomb, and rockville, maryland will honor its residents

veterans day activities should not be interrupted by any unpleasant weather. things are looking good out there. let's go to chuck bell for the forecast. >> good morning once again. what a beautiful day it already is outside. the sun has been up now for a little over an hour or two, and as a result, temperatures are already on their way up. 45 now in national airport. near 50, though, from annapolis down towards solomon's island. 41 now in winchester. so for today, nothing to complain about at all. sun and mild. delightful thanks to all the veterans who serve, so bravely,

temperatures today 65 and mild. >> thanks. we've got full hour of news, weather and sports coming up at 9:00. but now, let's go back to new york and the "today" show. ♪ get out get out get out of my head ♪ we are back on this sunday morning, november 11, 2012. a slumber party there on the sidewalk. fans of one direction. this morning when i got here there were sleeping bags. these fans of the english boy band lining up for the live one direction concert here on tuesday. did you hear they were coming? >> rumblings about it. >> when i got up this morning, i was whispering because i didn't want to wake anyone. they were sleeping so soundly. we're in midtown manhattan. >> by the way, friday morning at 7:00 a.m., we'll hear them

screaming. >> if not for the effort of being out there. >> a-plus for effort on that one. i'm erica hill along with lester holt, jenna wolfe and dylan dreyer. still to come this morning on "today," why do so many powerful men cheat? it is a question many are ask g asking. >> well, of course, with the david petraeus admission he had an extramarital affair this question comes up time and time again. we'll talk to experts about what trafs men to risk so much. >> and we are going to take to you a volunteer center out in coney island where we got to spend some time. we saw neighbors helping neighbors, perfect strangers lending a hand to those whose lives were turned upside-down by hurricane sandy. and then do you guys see "twilight" the movie? >> i have not seen any of them. >> i'm a big fan. i'll admit it. >> we'll talk about the epic love story involving vampires and werewolves and millions and millions and millions of people, especially teenagers, who cannot get enough of this. it is "twilight."

what is it about this movie that makes fans so absolutely -- >> they are camping out. >> camping out to see a movie, dot, dot, dot, that you can see three days later without having to camp out. why would you want to wait three days? >> clearly. >> these folks are in the wrong line. this is the one direction line. >> we should check on that. you give us a check on the weather and report back. >> just so we're all clear on that. we are celebrating an 8th birthday. i couldn't miss your sign. when you put this much effort into a sign, you have to get on tv. what's your name? >> nicole. >> where are you from? and you got on tv. so happy 8th birthday to you. >> thank you. >> as for the weather, we're looking at a

good morning. i'm chuck bell. we are still in front of the front here in washington. as a result, we get another mild day today. temperatures are seasonably cool for now. generally upper 30s to mid 40s. but all the sunshine that you see there in the background of our tower camera shot is going to make for a very pleasant day. mild this morning, a perfect afternoon to be outside today with temperatures near 70 degrees. clouds back tomorrow, though. so enjoy the sun today.

and it is sunday. that means tonight is sunday night football night in america. we are watching the houston texans head up to chicago. a very wet and windy chicago to take on the bears. it should be a good game tonight but probably the first sunday night game where weather could actually be a factor and, of course, check out your weather anytime on weather.com for your latest forecast for football or just anything else you want to do. erica? >> dylan, thanks. we can now add general petraeus to the list of powerful men who have gotten themselves in trouble because of cheating on their wives. we wanted to know why does this seem to happen so often with powerful men? michelle franzen takes a look. >> reporter: the resignation of general david petraeus is the late nest a long list of admissions. >> i acted in a way that violates my obligations to my family. >> i engaged in an adult consensual affair with another man. >> reporter: and apologies over the years by men of power involved in cheating scandals. >> and in so doing let me first of all apologize to my wife,

jenny. >> reporter: a who's who of politicians. >> and if i want to find the person who should be held accountable for my sins, honestly, i don't have to go any further than the mirror. >> reporter: public figures. >> i'm not perfect. >> reporter: and sports legends. >> i am deeply sorry for my irresponsible and self-ish behavior. >> reporter: but what makes these men who seem to have it all risk it all? >> these are very often very frail, flawed human beings who have low self-esteem who, believe it or not, they feel like failure could be just around the corner. >> reporter: those feelings can surface once their secret is out. in the late '80s televangelist hager stood accused. >> i have sinned against you, my lord. >> reporter: the path to forgiveness many times starts with denial. >> i did not have sexual relations with that woman.

miss lewinsky. >> reporter: former president bill clinton later admitted he had a relationship with white house intern monica lewinsky. >> indeed, i did have a relationship with miss lewinsky that was not appropriate. in fact, it was wrong. >> reporter: experts say oftentimes the most powerful players are driven by ambition and fueled by those around them. >> can your ego get distorted in positions of power, and can that sense of distortion be amplified by the people around you? absolutely. and it's very easy to get off track. >> reporter: for "today," michelle franzen, nbc news, new york. >> dr. gail salters is a psychiatrist and "today" contributor. >> good to be here. >> easy to get off track is one thing but you look at it and these seem to be overall men with a lot to lose. >> don't they? >> why do they do it? is it the power? >> i think the men who come into these positions are often high

risk takers. that is actually what allows them to some degree to become those powerful men. so they thrive on some excitement, on some risk taking, and then you add to that that when they become powerful, to be honest, they are catnip to a lot of women. they have a lot of opportunity and then the question becomes how vulnerable is their marriage? so men who become -- who come into very powerful positions, often very consumed by their work, they're not present with their spouses very much, and sort of the emotionality of their marriage gets plucked out. they're focused elsewhere. they can become lonely. they can can become isolated. as was mentioned before, can become insecure. even though they have to uphold this very powerful attitude, they're fed by others around them, too, who are saying, oh, whatever you want to do, absolutely. >> that's something i've always wondered about. you do have all these people around you insulating you and allowing you to do a lot of things, perhaps most, quote/unquote, normal people wouldn't get to do. >> exactly.

you are allowed to break the rules, and there are other rules that your moral compass can become a little gray and foggy and reinforced by others to say, that's fine, that's fine. you're allowed to be a rule breaker. other rules become at risk. >> this isn't as common with women. as we know women cheat. why is it less common in women? >> well, i think, first of all, there are fewer women in these very, very powerful positions. but, are also, the fantasy life for many women, even though there's equality and there should be equality, is often in fantasy, sexual fantasy, not as equal. men often might fantasize about, yes, a confident woman, an assertive woman but not necessarily a woman that is more powerful than them. whereas women do find the power in men to be very sexually attractive, and they may go for that. >> so is there anything you can do to affair proof, for lack of

a better term, your relationship? >> absolutely. it has everything to do with putting all your emotions into your current marriage and strengthening that. don't put yourself in risky situations. don't go to the bar for the meeting, involve alcohol in your meetings with someone of the opposite sex. try to -- if you're going to travel a lot, try to have your spouse involved in some of that. involve your spouse in other meetings that you have with someone who you think, you know, something potentially could go on with. and when you're in a room with someone and you're meeting them or you're interacting them, imagine that up spouse is there. and don't behave in ways that you know you never would behave if your spouse were sitting at the table, too. and then, at the end of the day, you have to really keep your marriage strong. you have to communicate, you have to work on problems because there will be problems. when things stink at home, it's easy to make it great for someone else and, for goodness sakes, have sex with your spouse. the bottom line is a lot of people let their sexual life

fall away and then, quite honestly, that person feels they're not being desired. they're at risk. >> they're going somewhere else. nice to see you, gail. >> nice to be here. up next, an inside look at neighboring helping neighbors in one of the many communities hit so hard by hurricane sandy right after these messages. hmm these smell amazing, too bad the guys aren't here we're clear. ok, swarm! swarm! hello [ female announcer ] pillsbury chocolate chip cookies.

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directed to government relief efforts in the wake of hurricane sandy, but this is not something solved just by government alone. the four of us decided to go out to a hard hit neighborhood in brooklyn, oceanfront neighborhood, where people are really struggling. and we wanted to meet these folks who have rolled up their sleeves. they're pitching in in a big way to help. what we found there is a role for everyone who is willing and able to help. coney island, now a shell of a once bustling boardwalk. ♪ just a block in from its famous amusement park is a community swept off its feet by sandy's powerful storm surge. folks, many still without power and heat, now rely on this makeshift food distribution center. >> four people? okay. >> it's where we were privileged

to meet other new yorkers who have gladly answered the call for help, passing out much-needed supplies like diapers, food, and water. are you surprised at the need? >> i haven't left this city yet and driving out to coney island has been shocking and seeing people come through actually puts everything in perspective in how lucky you are. >> that spirit of volunteerism is infectious. >> how long were you without water? >> it just came on yesterday. this is good. >> that's enough? >> yes. >> and you hear of people walking in, you get a sense of how desperate things are, how desperate people are. it's eye opening. >> it's just constant throng of people. i ask how they're doing and they say, i'm getting by. you know, surprising to see so many people smiling and still getting through it. >> grateful and gracious. >> no water? >> amazing.

we're getting out earlier and there are people who have stocks that say, no, i'm good. i'm good. give it to the next person. it's great to see that. >> what are we seeing here? >> people who have stepped up from the government actually. it's an impressive thing to see. >> neighbors take care of neighbors. >> absolutely. >> there's so much good we've seen in people that's come out 0 of this disaster. what are some of the things you've seen that sort of helps you keep the faith? >> you know, it's just -- i love new york, and i think new yorkers in a pinch come out help each other, stranger, doesn't matter who you are. people here have a sense of compassion. >> one thing for sure, you simply can't come here and stand on the sidelines. >> we just had a food delivery and we have moved everyone inside outside. the more food the better. >> everyone helping someone else, is a remind earp of all

the good that can come out of something terrible. >> ordinarily the coney island lighthouse mission just a few blocks away provides meals and foods for the underprivileged living here, but five feet of floodwaters have put it out of business for now. >> people are asking, you know, when are we going to reopen because they need food. there are no grocery stores out here. some people have not eaten in like two or three days. we have senior citizens, you know, they're coming around asking when is there a chance we're going to reopen? they do need our assistance and we do need help. >> what they don't need here are idle hands. volunteers have helped remove spoiled food and other debris out to the curb. the to-do list is overwhelming, but so is the need. it's remarkable how destructive water is, isn't it? >> it just gets everywhere. >> you want some food? >> yes, please. >> right outside the mission as night fell and the temperature dropped, we found another volunteer serving up a home cooked meal for his neighbors. >> it's windy, a little chilly,

but no complaint. >> it's warmer out here than in the apartment. >> people living with no heat, very little food, so just want to help out. you all come back and get more. >> you talk about the spirit of new yorkers pitching in. i've covered disasters all over the country and this world, there's something good about people that when their neighbors are in trouble, generally they rise to the occasion. we're seeing it here like we've seen it so many places before. if you'd like to take part in the sandy relief effort whether it's donating or volunteering go online to red cross.org. >> you can support the united way. that web address uwsandyrecovery.org. >> and you can give help to the coney island lighthouse mission, go to actsnyc.org/donate. and can i say what a privilege it was to work with you guys. and i want to apologize publicly for splashing you all with water. my hose technique --

>> was very poor. >> that's all right. we'll let it slide. it was for a very good cause, lester. >> there's more to come. their fans are called twi-hearts. the frenzy surrounding the last installment of the "twilight" saga. [ corbett ] the holidays seem to come sooner every year. luckily, walgreens is here to help, with our new happy and healthy magazine, full of great new items for a boost of happiness, tips for staying healthy and sweet holiday deals to stay one step ahead. or at least try to. pick up your free copy and get 3,000 points right now when you buy $20 of select walgreens store brand products. at the corner of happy and healthy. to say get well to your loved ones. ♪ this came for you, mommy. [ female announcer ] but it takes the touch of kleenex® brand, america's softest tissue, to turn a gesture into a complete gift of care.

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[ male announcer ] from our nation's networks... ♪ ...to our city streets... ♪ ...to skies around the world... ♪ ...northrop grumman's security solutions are invisibly at work, protecting people's lives... [ soldier ] move out! [ male announcer ] ...without their even knowing it. that's the value of performance. northrop grumman. they are calling it an epic finale. in just four days the fifth and final installment of the "twilight" movie saga opens in theaters nationwide. no ordinary accomplishment, though, for hollywood. jenna, confession, i'm not a, what do you call them? >> it twi-hard. >> why the craze? millions of people. >> can you handle it? >> i'm sitting down. so i'm ready.

>> clearly the three of us are. actually only one of the four of us has seen? tell me if i do this justice because i went in search of what the phenomenon is. a little confession here. i also have not been one of the millions -- i'm not one of the millions who did see the five movies. this is going swimmingly well so far. when you asked me to check out "breaking dawn" the final installment, i had never seen but one of the movies. i hadn't read one of the books. but i got it. i understood this was something big. so i was trying to figure out what all the fuss was about and this is what i discovered. they are stars so bright, they seduced a generation. >> the premiers are so awesome for us and they're surreal. every single time. >> reporter: their fans so fanatic they camp out for days just to see a premiere. >> this is a dream. the coolest thing. >> reporter: entranced by

kristen stewart, rob pattinson and taylor lautner, they call themselves twi-hards. >> i love you. >> there are words based on this movie. >> reporter: disclaimer here, i admit i haven't seen one of the movies quite yet but my curiosity was overwhelming. how could a movie about high school vampires and werewolves be block busting hollywood? fave films in five years have sold an astonishing $2.5 billion in movie tickets. so i headed into the twilight zone, also known as the "today" show plaza to spend some time with the twi-hards. what do you think it is about the movie that drive people crazy? >> i don't know. the actors are all really hot, that helps. >> reporter: for the teens, the actors occasionally double as wallpaper. check out the posters in this bedroom. walls full of taylor lautner. the well chiseled taylor lautner. >> doesn't he own a shirt?

>> how many? nicely done, girl. 20-year-old lautner is part of the teenaged love triangle. >> kiss me. i'm asking you to kiss me. >> reporter: a quick summary, this is a dark romance in which bella, kristen stewart, must choose between archenemies, lautner's werewolf and pattinson's vampire. but the tale of dangerous love incites an older crowd. you own all the movies? >> yes. >> you own all the books? you're older than 13, right? >> i think so. >> hope for believing in true love. >> reporter: fans are split in two camps. there's team jacob who wants bella to be with werewolf jacob. team edward is thrilled bella finally chooses edward to be her husband. >> i love you. >> reporter: it turns out stewart and pattinson have been dating in real life, lovers on screen and off. but then headlines screamed this summer that kristen had cheated on rob. she publicly apologized.

they got back together. but that didn't end the fan frenzy. >> the fans were devastated. people were crying. how could she do this? >> i can't believe she would do this. >> reporter: in the new "breaking dawn part two" bella transforms into a vampire. >> i never felt more alive. >> reporter: bottom line at the end of the day this is a love story and that is not lost on fans of any age. >> love is eternal and it's also the fantasy of things that are just above and beyond what we have in our everyday life. >> here is the deal. she was dead serious. the movie opens nationwide. people have been camping out since march. >> i think when the lines die down, i think it's going to be a weekend today field trip. i'll buy the popcorn. >> we have to do the five. >> we'll stay here saturday until sunday. >> rest assured everything is okay. >> okay.

all is good. >> we're going to keep working on this. we'll be back for our veterans. love your pandora bracelet. oh, thanks. he went to jared. the ballet slippers? i used to dance. suitcase? anniversary trip. hearts? it's called the red hot love bead... ♪ oh. ...i've said too much. [ female announcer ] celebrate life's unforgettable moments with a fabulous selection of pandora charms and bracelets at jared. telling her life's story with just a turn of the wrist. soccer ball? soccer mom. [ female announcer ] that's why he went to jared, the galleria of jewelry. this reduced sodium soup says it may help lower cholesterol, how does it work? you just have to eat it as part of your heart healthy diet. step 1. eat the soup. all those veggies and beans,

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we want to say good-bye this veterans day with today's life

illustrated, your fphotos that hohn our nation's brave veterans. >> a reminder you can send us pictures on our website, on facebook or on twitter. use the #mylifetoday. >> i'll see you back here for "nbc nightly news." have a great day. thanks for watching. ♪ ♪ he was the famous man from out chicago way ♪ ♪ he had a bugel style no one else could play ♪ ♪ he was the top man at his craft ♪ ♪ then his number came up and he was gone ♪ ♪ he's in the army now blowing revelry ♪

♪ ♪ ♪

and now, from washington's leading news station, this is "news4 today." new from overnight, a house explosion rocks an entire community. this morning, the flames, the evacuations and what pay have caused the huge blast. >> and the new challenges ahead for the obama administration after the resignation of cia director david petraeus. >> a live look towards the national mall where we expect to see large crowds as people observe veterans day. happy veterans day, everybody. good morning. >> welcome to "news4 today." a fabulous day to get outside and enjoy all the wonderful activities going on around town. >> the weather sure is cooperating. let's go to chuck bell in storm center 4.